The Henson Journals

[178]

Friday, November 4th, 1927.

Prideaux came to lunch, and to say Goodbye before going to his new work in Damaraland. I am sorry to lose him from the diocese, for he is one of the very few clergymen who are also gentlemen.

I worked on the Edinburgh lecture, & wrote 14 pages. It is a monstrous waste of time precisely when I want every minute for my proper tasks.

Old Lord Halifax writes to the 'Church Times' to urge the clergy to disobey the Revised Prayer Book. Having fomented clerical law–breaking all his long life through, he will "die game". But it is an odd position for a zealous "Catholick" thus to preach revolt.

The Church Family Newspaper stands strongly for Barnes, doubtless under the influence of Ralph, who is the mainstay of that journal. The Guardian is much gentler to him than might have been expected. Of course the Church Times is violently hostile, but its hostility rather assists his cause than injures it. Linetta writes to me from Birmingham an immense and vehement letter on his behalf. There seems a determination to give the episode the aspect of a "heresy hunt"; to ignore altogether the public aspect of Barnes's conduct, which is wholly indefensible, & to concentrate attention on the particular issue raised by his sermons which is properly irrelevant.